Celebrity Lady - Chapter 95

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Celebrity Lady
Chapter 95
“No way!”
Rubetria shouted at the top of her voice.
“Even if he is His Imperial Majesty, that’s too much! How could he strike his own eldest son across the face just because something displeased him?”
“This.”
Lark gestured with his chin at the Betrothal Letter lying on the desk.
“Father sent it without consulting me at all. Don’t misunderstand.”
“Ah.”
Rubetria nodded quietly, yet her brow remained furrowed in confusion.
“I suppose you’re wondering what this is all about. I’ll explain everything. Let’s sit down first.”
“Yes, understood. But before that—”
“Hmm?”
“Rebecca!”
Rubetria called out toward the office door.
* * *
Did the Emperor truly not realize he should preserve this national-treasure-grade beauty without a single blemish?
As I tended to Lark’s wound with the first-aid kit Rebecca had brought, I couldn’t stop grinding my teeth.
“Ow.”
“Does it hurt?”
Even though I was applying the medicine as gently as possible, he seemed to be in pain. The fact that Lark was actually groaning—which was unlike him—made that clear.
I blew softly across the wound before applying a bandage.
“There. All done.”
As I pulled away, Lark frowned and asked.
“…Already finished?”
“Yes? Well, it will sting a bit, but it’s not a deep wound, so it’ll heal quickly.”
I drew back while Lark seemed almost disappointed, and spoke.
“So you pushed this absurd Marriage Law and incurred His Imperial Majesty’s wrath, resulting in such a handsome face being marred?”
“If that were all, I wouldn’t even be angry. Right now, the Diolus Duchy Mansion is likely in complete upheaval.”
He said the Betrothal Letter had been sent to our house as well.
“I’ll have to go explain this, but I might get struck by Father, too.”
“Then dodge quickly.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“No, but more importantly—”
Thinking about it again, the sheer absurdity of the situation that had unfolded without my knowledge was astounding.
“While striking him was excessive, I can certainly understand His Imperial Majesty’s frustration when I think about it.”
The Empire’s Marriage Law, which had been unconditionally applied to every Emperor since the nation’s founding.
To abolish it and allow the Emperor to take only one spouse, just like any other citizen of the Empire?
“Are you in your right mind, wanting to change the law because of me?”
“…?”
At my exasperated remark, Lark blinked and tilted his head in confusion.
“Your self-awareness is quite strong… I’m simply trying to change the law because keeping five wives doesn’t align with my values.”
Wait.
I faltered, and Lark burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
“Pfahahaha!”
“Ah!”
Though he spoke lightly, it was obvious why Lark—who at first meeting had been resigned to conforming to the Empire’s Marriage Law—had changed his mind.
I swallowed a sigh and asked.
“Do you really need to keep a promise you made as a child you barely remember?”
“No, you’re right. Why would I keep a promise made playfully in childhood? You yourself said not to read anything into it.”
“Then what?”
“It’s not because of that old promise.”
Lark glanced away from my gaze and shrugged.
“I simply want to now, that’s all.”
“…”
The mood had grown strange.
Not because of a childhood promise, but because of his current will. It was the first time Lark had openly expressed his true feelings—’I want to fall in love with you.’
I quietly turned my head away and deliberately changed the subject.
“…”
“…”
Lark, too, fell silent. We remained quiet for quite a long time.
‘A law can’t be changed overnight. Isn’t this an impossible prospect?’
I pondered this internally.
‘Could love allow me to accept the four other wives my husband would keep?’
Love… I still wasn’t sure about that, but for now: no. Absolutely not.
‘Then perhaps dating, if not marriage?’
That too was no.
Dating could breed desire. If marriage became desperate enough, I might come to accept my husband’s other wives.
That would make my life pitifully tragic. I shook my head firmly.
No, indeed.
“Sigh.”
Then there was only one way.
I turned to Lark and spoke.
“Yes. Change the law if you can.”
“…?”
“I’m sorry for being selfish, but I have firm values I won’t compromise on. I apologize.”
“…”
“So even if it seems impossible, try a little harder. If we’re to graduate from being business partners. And I’ll help if there’s anything I can do.”
“Wait, my lady.”
“Yes?”
Lark leaned forward urgently, his eyes intense.
“What do you mean by that?”
“What do I mean?”
“Are you saying you’d consider dating me?”
“Didn’t you ask something similar at the festival last time? You asked if I could see you as a dating partner once the Marriage Law was resolved.”
“That was just asking if there was any possibility at all. This time is different. So what I’m asking is…”
Lark paused to choose his words carefully before continuing.
“What you just said—it’s not ‘I might date you once the law changes,’ but ‘let’s date,’ right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hey, I’m not trying to pressure you. If you’re only saying this because it’d be awkward to pretend otherwise once the law actually changes—”
“We’ve known each other for quite a while now, and you still don’t know my character? Do you really think I’d agree to date someone out of consideration despite my true feelings?”
Lark blinked slowly, eyes growing distant for a moment, before asking carefully.
“So you’re saying you have even a sliver of romantic feeling toward me?”
“What are you talking about? Aren’t you?”
“…Right.”
“Then that settles it.”
Another long silence descended between us.
I fidgeted, swaying back and forth and wiggling my toes while stealing sidelong glances at Lark’s profile.
‘What’s this? Is he embarrassed?’
His ears were flushed red—there was no doubt about it. A refreshing sight from the usually glib Lark.
“Damn it! This isn’t the time for this!”
“You startled me!”
“Sorry, sorry. Actually, there’s a problem more urgent than explaining about the Betrothal Letter. That’s why I came to see you first.”
“What is it?”
Lark’s eyes were grave as he held my shoulder.
“Listen carefully from now on.”
* * *
Four days later.
With my quarantine lifted, I was ordered to return home.
The investigators recalled their teams, and over the course of two days, I settled my affairs in Reubon.
‘It’s a shame to leave after only staying half a year or so.’
Early in the morning, I rode in a carriage sent from home and made one final stop at the workshop.
“Thank you so much for everything, my lady. Thanks to you, we’ve all been able to work in such a good environment.”
The workshop master, Charlie Works.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say he’d become one of the wealthiest men in Reubon after the wristwatch collaboration with Blanc de Ruby.
“You’ll visit often, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
“We should go, Father. It’s not that far from the Imperial Capital anyway.”
Jeremy, standing beside Charlie, hastily pressed a music box he’d made himself into my hands as a parting gift, barely hiding his reluctance.
“A gift.”
“Oh, is this for me? How beautiful. Thank you.”
“Mm.”
“This boy… You didn’t know because you only saw me as a young lady while we were in Reubon, but I’m the daughter of the Diolus Clan. You can’t just visit and see me whenever you please.”
“Tch.”
“No, I’m serious. Jeremy, come visit with everyone from the workshop anytime. I’ll treat you all to delicious food. Let’s go sightseeing in the Imperial Capital together.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
My grateful business partner, ranked first in Blanc de Ruby accessory shop sales, son of the Reubon workshop…
What couldn’t I do for you?
“Well then, all of you take care of yourselves. See you soon.”
With mixed feelings, I waved goodbye and boarded the carriage.
* * *
On the road back to the Imperial Capital.
The escort knights sent from home were marching on either side of the rattling carriage.
‘This is nerve-wracking.’
I swallowed hard, glancing nervously at the stern profile of an escort visible through the window.
Withdrawing my gaze and surveying the interior of the carriage, I saw Rebecca and Siena, both sitting with equally tense expressions.
Then.
“What in blazes are you doing?”
A sharp voice from the escorts rang out, and the three of us froze simultaneously.
“W-what’s happening?”
I quickly pulled open the carriage window connected to the driver’s seat.
Someone was standing directly in our path on the mountain road.
Brilliant golden hair, bright red eyes gleaming in the light. Yet a masked face concealing nose and mouth, making identification impossible.
By any standard, a suspicious ruffian.
The ruffian drew a small Short Sword from its sheath at their waist and twirled it once with practiced ease.
Then they issued a warning.
“I don’t wish to see blood spilled. Hand over the carriage and disperse quickly.”
“What the hell are you on about, you mad bastard?”
The lead escort laughed derisively.
There were ten of us guarding the carriage, all skilled fighters at that, fully armed and equipped with swords.
The ruffian, meanwhile, had only a paltry Short Sword—the kind barely fit for peeling apples. It was laughable.
Yet the ruffian spoke with absolute confidence, rattling off a villainous line.
“Hand over the carriage when I ask politely. And the women inside too!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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